Transmission & Its Risks
How genital herpes is    transmitted
How to reduce the risk of    transmission
Are you doing all that you    can?

Do you know how to reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes?

If you don’t, ask your doctor about all of the ways to reduce transmission.

No One Wants to "Give" Genital Herpes to Anyone Else

Are you doing all that you can?

Ask yourself the following:

  • Do you know how genital herpes is transmitted?
  • Do you know what viral shedding is?
  • Have you ever given or received oral sex when either you or your partner had a cold sore?
  • Does your partner know you have genital herpes?
  • Is it safe to have unprotected sex in between outbreaks as long as there are no signs or symptoms?
  • Have you ever used a male or female condom and if not, would you know how?
  • Are there medical treatments to further reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes?

If you are unsure about the answers to any of the above questions, you should consult your doctor or other healthcare professional for further information and advice.

References

 

1. Mertz GJ, Benedetti J, Ashley R, et al. Risk Factors for the Sexual Transmission of Genital Herpes. Annals of Internal Medicine 1992;116:197-202.

2. Sacks SL. The Truth About Herpes. 4th ed. West Vancouver, BC: Gordon Soules Book Publishers Ltd.;1997.

3. Ebel C, Wald A. Managing Herpes: How to Live and Love With a Chronic STD. Research Triangle Park, NC: American Social Health Association;2002.

4. Wald A, Zeh J, Selke S, et al. Genital Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus Among Men. JID 2002;186(Suppl1):S34-S39.

5. Wald A, Zeh J, Selke S, et al. Virologic Characteristics of Subclinical and Symptomatic Genital Herpes Infections. NEJM 1995; 333(12):770-775.

6. Aoki, FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition: Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf/sti2006_e.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2006.

7. Wald A, Krantz E. Selke S, et al. Knowledge of partner’s genital herpes protects against herpes simplex virus type 2 acquisition. J Infect Dis 2006;194:42-52.

8. Green J, Ferrier S, Kocsis A, et al. Determinants of disclosure of genital herpes to partners. Sex Transm Infect 2003;79:42-44.

9. Health Canada. What You Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Infections. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada; 2002. Available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/std-mts/sti_s.html and http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/gonorrh_e.html.
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